Police were faced with a woman brandishing a knife when they carried out one of three drugs raids in Grimsby.

When officers battered in the door she was standing with a knife and claimed “I’m only doing the washing up.”

Officers later seized a quantity of Class A drugs, and Spice and around £1,000 in cash found in a sofa at the property in Oxford Street.

Two other raids were carried out simultaneously in Eleanor Street and Durban Road, Grimsby.

Four people were arrested, three women, aged 30, 33 and 35, and one man aged 22 years.

Evidence bags were taken from the scenes containing Spice, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. A quantity of alcohol was also seized.

Humberside police carry out early morning raids in the East Marsh area of Grimsby. Police display some of the drugs seized during a raid on a property in Oxford Street, Grimsby.

Around 40 police officers were involved in the raids.

They happened at 11am yesterday and coincided with a day of action on Grimsby’s East Marsh to give traders and shoppers reassurance that anti-social behaviour in Freeman Street and surrounding streets will not be tolerated.

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Rutland Street resident, John Sheppard, 50 said he had been going to St John and St Stephen’s Church to pray for action by the police to curb drug dealing.

Prayers are answered for John Sheppard

“My prayers have been answered. The police are doing a great job. It is getting quieter and there is no trouble. It is like a Godsend. I have been praying for this.”

Humberside police carry out early morning raids in the East Marsh area of Grimsby. Police display some of the money seized during a raid on a property in Oxford Street, Grimsby.

An Oxford Street neighbour said: “It is good what they are doing, but it is not enough. I can point to several round here that could do with being raided. It is a bad area. You get drunks, Spice zombies and crack heads wandering around.

“I have seen 14 and 15 year-olds selling drugs on the street corner. We would like to see more action like this by the police. We have had attacks and burglaries. The neighbours moved out because they had had enough of it.”

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In Eleanor Street, residents welcomed the swoop on a property where the occupants allegedly had between 80 and 90 visitors each day.

Police said there had been 176 callers within three days and said it was being used as a Spice den.

Humberside Police carry out early morning raids in the East Marsh area of Grimsby. A police officer prepares for the morning raids.

When officers arrived to batter in the door a man on a cycle at the front gate fled the scene towards Grant Thorold Park.

“They weren’t just dropping in for a coffee,” a neighbour told.

“There were around 80 or 90 calling. It was all hours of the day and night,” she added.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I feel good about this police action. I am sick to death of people in the street rolling up their drugs and smoking it in front of children going to school.”

She said: “I would like to shake all the police officers' hands.”

Another woman said: “The police are doing a good job. Credit to them but it is going to take some stopping. I have grandkids and I do not want drugs anywhere near my grandkids. I have phoned the police anonymously about what is going on around us. It is good to see them responding like this. But as soon as they get rid of them someone else takes over.”

Humberside Police carry out early morning raids in the East Marsh area of Grimsby. Ward councillor Steve Beasant, sends out the message that the police are coming.

East Marsh ward councillor, Steve Beasant, who joined police on the raids, said: “It is excellent for the local residents. Local residents have been providing great intelligence. We need even more intelligence. We have had three properties visited and two had results.

“The residents have had months of suffering. Their lives are going to get back to normality.”

Inspector Neil Pattison praised the ward councillor for his work in the community.

The inspector said: “This is what community policing is all about. We like kicking in doors.”

He praised the dedication of the officers taking part in the operation and thanked those who had cancelled their rest days to join in.

“Lets hope the success continues,” he said.

Humberside police carry out early morning raids in the East Marsh area of Grimsby. Sergeant Dan Healey

Sergeant Dan Healey, who led the police response said the day of action had proved successful.

He said: “Three months ago we went out and carried out a survey of what people on East Marsh wanted us to do. They highlighted the anti-social behaviour and drug dealing as the main problems.

“Our new Chief Superintendent said she will support drugs raids every day of the week. We cannot do it on our own and welcome information being passed to us from the residents in the community.”

He urged anyone with information to call Humberside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where rewards for information are given.